Monroe’s school board could decide to move on a new school tax hike and building plan next year as a way to go to handle the district’s growing enrollment.
The community heard some of the building options Monday during a special public presentation by school officials at the Butler County district’s grades two through 12 school building, which has been suffering overcrowding in recent years.
Adding to the squeeze is Monroe’s aging primary school, which was built in 1954.
The primary school, which is adjacent to the now empty 29 acres that used to be the former Lemon-Monroe school campus, may also be demolished to make way for a new elementary or middle school under one of the scenarios being considered by school officials.
“We are packed to the gills,” Monroe Board of Education Vice President David Grant told more than 80 residents who attended the public forum designed to answer their questions and layout the possible timeline for a school tax hike and new building.
District officials said the decision to put a school building bond issue on November 2018 ballot will require gathering more information from state education officials. Specifically those at the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) — which will soon be providing decade-ahead enrollment projections and funding options that could mean the state will pay for about 50 percent of the costs for a new school.
The amount of the tax bond issue to cover school construction costs, its mileage and cost per property owner will be determined by OFCC and other calculations by spring of 2018, according to school district officials.
When the Monroe school system split from Middletown Schools in 2001, it enrolled 1,300 students. Enrollment now is more than 2,800.
Monroe Junior High Principal Joe Ward told the audience that classrooms are overflowing and often students are forced to study in the hallways.
“We’ve grown too much. We’ve turned offices into classrooms and our media center is no longer a media center but now holds classes and our school resource officer works in a converted closet,” said Ward.
Monroe Superintendent Phil Cagwin said OFCC officials have already told district officials they will not pay for any renovation of Monroe Primary School because it’s too old.
That school — at 225 Macready Ave. — houses student in pre-kindergarten through first grade.
District officials said they estimate that if the school board green lights the new school project — and if voters in November 2018 approve a school bond issue — a new school, which would have students from three to four various grade levels, could open in 2021.
Residents wanting to give their opinion about the facility options can participate in an online survey or call the Monroe Board of Education office at 513-539-2536.
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